My passion for athletics was present throughout my youth, but it was not until I was sixteen years old that I realized I wanted to be a coach. One of the most influential men in my life, Coach Dick Hill, was hired to be the running backs coach for my high school. Even at 72 years of age, Coach Hill had such fervor for life, and it fascinated me.

Coach Hill challenged me to perform at a high level because he knew I could, and he would not take any of my excuses. He would become angry, even, at my disparaging commentary of my abilities. I remember thinking to myself that I wish he would just back off a little; he never would. Years later, when I was bestowed with the great honor of being mentored by him, I realized how much I valued his influence on my life. He had a passion for excellence, and his most common adage was “play to the ability that God has blessed you with.” He understood that every person was given certain talents, and once he recognized what that talent was, he would push athletes to maximize it. Of course, this teaching would be layered with his relentless and dogmatic praise of the athlete’s abilities because he saw the best version of people, and he would push them to choose to be the best they could be. He was a constant encourager. This man deeply influenced me, and he serves as an example of how I want to impact others. I want to be a coach known for encouraging others to be the best they can be—I want to practice mentor leadership.

Thus, my life mission is to inspire ingenuity and passion in others through compassionate mentorship. My coaching philosophy hinges on building relationships. I want to inspire those around me to achieve things they never thought imaginable. This passion is rooted in my personal experiences with great mentors such as Coach Hill. My greatest mentors recognized my potential and awakened me to unknown possibilities through believing in my ability and helping me to develop my skills. I seek to do the same in those around me. From players to parents, teachers to administrators, coaches to my family, I want to see people achieve great things.

Too often in life people underestimate their abilities, and those that do not can almost always point to a person that served as the catalyst in their life. There was a person that spoke into their lives, and convinced them that they were as good or better than they wish they could ever be. This is the kind of leader I seek to be, and this is all made possible through the hard work of building trusting relationships. I seek to treat others as I want to be treated because that is how trust is built. I want each and every person I come in to contact with to know how truly valuable they are. I aim to treat everyone well because the less value one places on people; the easier it is to harm them. Whether they are going to be the next president of the United States or the next manager of a grocery store, their life can positively impact others and that is what is important. This sort of legacy can continue on forever. The organization I am interested in creating exists in the hearts and minds of men, and it will continue on as long as men are alive. It is the legacy of valuing others and helping them become the best version of themselves, and, in turn, helping them to see the value of those around them.